MASCOUTAH, IL (KTVI) – A murder investigation is underway in Mascoutah after the body of the man was found inside his home.
The victim has been identified as Richard Feldt, 59. Investigators say the victim died from multiple stab wounds. It appears that Feldt had been dead for more than one day. An autopsy will be done later on Tuesday for an exact cause of and time of death.
Mascoutah`s Police Chief, Bruce Fleshren, says a suspect is in custody and that the killing was not random. That suspect is a 23-year-old man who police say the victim was trying to help. Police say that the victim gave the suspect a job as a painter. Feldt let the man stay with him to help him get on his feet.
The man`s loved ones called Mascoutah police around 8:30 p.m. Monday asking them to check on him because they hadn`t seen him since Thanksgiving. No one was answered the door when officers arrived, but the man`s truck was in the driveway.
Police knew the victim had recently let another young man live with him to provide that man a place to stay and a job.
When police officers couldn`t find either person, they brought a friend to the home who had a key around 10:30 Monday. When officers opened the door, they found the victim dead on the front room floor and that other man lying on the couch unhurt.
He was taken into custody without any problems.
Neighbors say the victim lived in the home for years. They call the man kind and are stunned by what happened. Neighbors did tell us in the past they did hear a lot of arguing coming from the home.
Investigators say it appears the victim had been dead for more than a day.
Police plan to release more details later Tuesday.
